Inferential statistics

Inferential statistics

mathematical procedures done at the end of an experiment to test a hypothesis objectivly

true experimental research

Research design that involves random assignment of participants to different conditions (experimental and control groups) to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

true dependent variable

A variable that is measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable.

true independent variable

A variable that is manipulated in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

external validity

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to, or have relevance for settings, people, times, and measures other than the one used in the study.

quasi experimental research

A type of research design that examines the effect of an intervention without random assignment to treatment or control groups, often used in real-world settings.

Quasi independent variable

A variable similar to an independent variable in that it influences the dependent variable, but is not manipulated by the researcher due to ethical or practical considerations.

quasi dependent variable

A variable that is influenced by the quasi-independent variable but cannot be controlled or manipulated by the researcher, often observed within quasi-experimental designs.

covariants

A variable that is not the primary variable of interest but is measured and statistically controlled for in a study because it may influence the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

spurious correlation

A relationship between two variables that appears to be causal but is actually due to a third, unmeasured variable or simply by chance.

H1

first hypothesis

H0

null hypothesis

Type 1 error

the null hypothesis was true and the experimenter rejected it

Type II error

the null hypothesis was false and the experimenter continued to believe it. 

critical value

a point on the test statistic distribution that is compared to the observed test statistic to decide whether to reject the null hypothesis.